NEW
YORK - Dr. M. Dianne Murphy, Director of
Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education at Columbia University,
announced today that head football coach Norries Wilson has been relieved of
his responsibilities, effective immediately.

"We
are appreciative of the effort and hard work that Coach Wilson has contributed
to the Columbia University football program over the past six years," said Murphy.
"Norries has dedicated himself tremendously to the University and our football
players. Norries is a great leader of men.
He did so much for the young men on our football team. His leadership is second to none."

"Norries
has accomplished a great deal in helping us rebuild a stronger foundation for
Columbia Football. We thank him for his
tremendous service and wish him the very best in the future. "

Arriving
on Morningside Heights in December 2005, Wilson led Columbia to a 5-5 record in
the 2006 football season, the winningest season of any first-year coach in
school history since the start of Ivy League play in 1956. In 2009, Wilson's
fourth season at Columbia, the Lions finished tied for fourth place in The Ivy
League, their best finish since 2001. He is the only head football coach in
school history to lead Columbia to victories over Princeton in consecutive
seasons. Overall at Columbia, Wilson finishes with a won-loss record of 17-43, with an Ivy League record of 10-32.

Added
Murphy, "Making a decision of this nature is always difficult. That said, in
order to achieve the goals that we have set for the Columbia football program,
we believe that it is necessary and appropriate to make a change in leadership
at this time."

Columbia
will launch a national search for a new head football coach immediately.